Santa Claus will be visiting ModernTots on Thursday, December 6th from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. Hanukkah gelt will also be passed out during this time.
ModernTots at 53 Pearl St., Ground Floor in DUMBO.

The Brooklyn Music School in Fort Greene (126 St. Felix Street- around the corner from BAM) is performing "A Brooklyn Nutcracker." The story is about a girl Clara that gets separated from her mom while holiday shopping at Macys. Cradling a nutcracker doll, Clara beings a fantastic journey through the magical borough.  This is th 9th year they have put this on and goes from Thursday, December 6 through Sunday, December 9. (Thurs is a preview performance).  There are 2 pricing tiers and matinee and evening shows. Fro more details call 718-638-5660 or go to www.brooklynmusicschool.org.

Thursday, December 6 through Sunday, December 9 see how fast those dreidels can really turn at the Jewish Children’s Museum.  Teams of children compete in a game of dreidel spinning and the finalist wins prizes.  At 1:30 pm, free with museum admission. http://www.jcm.museum . The Jewish Children’s Museum is at 792-796 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights

To celebrate Hanukkah, there is a public menorah lighting each evening at 6 pm from December 4-11. Just come to Grand Army Plaza and eat hot latkes and receive gifts for the children.

Mon-Fri  you can see the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal.  The
New York Transit Museum puts on this train show at the Museum’s annex
in the Shuttle Passage. It features "O" gauge trains running on
separate loop tracks through a holiday scene with authentic sights and
sounds (new this year). On view until Jan. 13

Daily (except Mondays) until Jan. 13th visit the Holiday Trains at the NY Botanical Gardens
in the Bronx. This is another event I have never managed to actually
do, but have always wanted to. It is free with garden admission. You
can watch the trains and trolleys chug beneath the boughs of a 30 foot
evergreen tree twinkling with lights, across bridges, through tunnels
and around NY landmark replicas and plant.  You can also participate in
the Gingerbread adventures- where kids use their senses to taste, smell
and touch the spices and other plant parts that make up a gingerbread
recipe. You can make spices, sachets, ornaments and decorate gingersnap
cookies.

This Friday December 7, PS 58 is having a FREE screening of A Monkey’s Tale, an animation movie by the French Director, Jean-Francois Laguionie. It received several awards such as the ‘Best Animated Film’ – Hollywood Film Festival 2000 and the ‘Toronto Sun Animation Audience Award’ at Sprocket International Film Festival for Children 2000. The film tells the story of two mutually distrustful tribes of monkeys inhabit the same habitat. The movie will start at 6:30 but if you get there at 6 pm, the 5th graders will be selling popcorn starting. Way to go 5th graders! (I couldn’t find what age range this film is for, but the MPAA rating according to Blockbuster is G) Put on by The PS58 Cineclub, they tell me that the runtime: 76 min and Film is rated PG- so not sure what the actual rating is but would go by Blockbusters of G if push came to shove.
.P.S. 58- The Carroll School
http://www.ps58.org
330 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Carroll Gardens)
District 15, Region 8
718.330.9322

Also,
Friday, Saturday AND Sunday (and, really, until January 13), is
the Crystal Winter Village at the New York Hall of Science. The Village features a giant snow globe, a motions simulator ride
across Arctic glaciers, a train display that applies the principles of
steam power, a puppet show (see site for times)  and a craft workshop
complete with table-top activities for kids of all ages.  Every Friday
through Sunday. And, for those of you looking to make a holiday card,
they have photo packages for families who want their photo in front of
the giant snow globe!  NYHall of Science info listed for the event
above.  PHOTO: This is NOT the snow globe you will see- but another giant one-
btw, the is a ballerina inside a snow globe- she performs- and yes, you
can rent the inflatable snow globe from $4500-5000. Doesn’t that sound
like a great party gag?) UPDATE: we went last weekend and it was fun. All in all, the snowglobe is just a big piece of plastic and my husband thought it was "cheeseville" but I thought the photos of the kids in the globes were pretty fun. The winter village truly isn’t much at all- just some snowflakes, the globe and an activity area. The rest of the museum is great though. If you get there before 11 am it is free. About 20 minutes drive from Fort Greene- less from Willamsburg.

Happy Concerts for Young People: Kids (ages 6 to 12) discover how
cool classical music can be through dynamic audience interaction,
engaging dialogue and other surprises in each performance. Classics
such as Amahl and the Night Visitors (now a New York
institution) and innovative new concerts have earned this series a
strong base of loyal fans and the prestigious Peabody Award. It’s no
wonder the New York Times called Happy Concerts for Young People "Children’s concerts to be marveled at." Amahl and the Night Visitors on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center- starting at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Join the entire cast and orchestra as well as shepherds,
shepherdesses, live animals, and kings as we tell the tale of a young
boy who discovers that miracles happen when you give from the heart.
The music for this presentation was written by Gian Carlo Menotti and
the production was staged specially for The Little Orchestra Society by
the composer. Single Tickets – $40, $30, $20 and 10
CALL: 212.971.9500
The Little Orchestra Society
http://littleorchestra.org/concerts_happy.html
330 West 42nd St., 12th Fl
New York, NY 10036
Concerts at: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center

Gustafer Yellowgold is coming to Mamalus (Williamsburg) on Saturday, December 8th at 11 am. Cost is $5 a person. If you haven’t checked this out- it is worth a trip. A live band is accompanied by a moving book of songs and pictures projected on a big screen with subtitles for early readers. Visit www.mamalu.us and www.gustaferyellowgold.com for more info.

The Dillon Center is having their annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, December 8th, 2007 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The event will include the following: Tons of Children’s Activities, Photos with (or without) Santa Claus, Hand-crafted Items, Raffles Prizes, Holiday Wrapping, Wreaths, Christmas Cacti, Poinsettias and a Wide variety of Foods. The Dillion Holliday Fair is at St. Joseph’s College on 245 Clinton Avenue (btw. DeKalb & Willoughby Avenues). Contact 718-636-6838 for information.

If you are in Bay Ridge and want to see Santa (and friends)- swing by Pick-A-Party on Saturday, December 8th from 9:30 am- 11:30 am. Cost is $20 per person, children under 2 are free. There will be face painting, "tattoos", balloon animals, a photo with Santa and friends and a gift from him.  Breakfast included.  Reservations are suggested. For ages 1-13 years. Fro more info go to: www.pickaparty.net

The Boerum Hill Association’s Annual Potluck Holiday Party has 2 parties (one for adults and one for kids) The adults one is happening this Saturday, December 8 from
5-8 pm at Axelle Gallery at 312 Atlantic. Kids over 16 years are welcome too (fragile art you know…).  It is a
way to meet people in your neighborhood (I went to one in Fort Greene
BY MYSELF and met a lot of nice people- so go!). The Kids Holiday Party
is at the St. Nicholas Cathedral at 355 State Street (btw Bond and
Hoyt) (around the corner from the Belarusan Church). The party will be
in the basement (where all good church parties are!). Bring
kid-friendly food and play games, activities, entertainment and see
Santa. Please rsvp to Mark Tremitiere at 212-602-0754 for either party
so they know who to expect. www.boerumhillbrooklyn.org

The Lower Eastside Ecology Center is sponsoring an Electronics Recycling Day at PS 321 on Saturday, December 8. You can bring in tvs, fax machines, computers, telephones and more to be recycled in front of PS 321 (180 7th Ave btw 1st and 2nd Streets) in Park Slope.  Goes on from 10am-4pm. And, while you are there, you can check out the 16th Annual PS321 Craft Fair from 11 am-4 pm. Kill 2 birds with one stone!

Saturday December 8 Get Fresh (a new store that sells "ready-to-cook" meals from local and organic ingredients) is having a lot of fun events. It starts off with a  (yummy!) Ice Cream Tasting with Paul Nasrani from Adirondack Creamery (www.adirondackcreamery.com) from 12-1 pm and then from 1 – 3pm there is a seminar on "Eating for Optimum Health: Creating Deliciously Simple Meals to Satisfy Every Eater (…Even the Pickiest Ones!)" with Laura Fischer Harbage (www.maitrihealth.com) – Please rsvp to [email protected] for the seminar. Then, Get Fresh has another seminar on Sunday December 9 from 1-3pm called Green Building 101 with Bart Bettencourt of Bettencourt Green Building Supplies (www.bettencourtwood.com)
Get Fresh
Phone: (718) 360-8469
[email protected]
370 Fifth Ave (between 5th and 6th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Open Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm.
Christ Church, Linden Tree Preschool, and the Neighborhood Playspace are having their annual Saint Nicholas Fair this weekend. Here are the
details: SAINT NICHOLAS FAIR on Saturday, December 8th, 2007, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Holiday Gifts, Baked Goods, English Meat Pies, Crafts, Chili, Childrens’ Meals, Games, Bouncy Room, Childrens’ Movies, and Visits from Saint Nicholas himself. Location: Christ Church in Cobble Hill (corner of Clinton and Kane Streets)

As a holiday treat, BAM presents a double bill of classic children’s films The Red Balloon and White Mane, both newly-restored for the big screen. The Red Balloon,
winner of the Palme d’Or, follows Pascal and his shiny, bright balloon
as they chase each other through the streets of Paris. The beloved White Mane,
winner of the Cannes Grand Prix, depicts the friendship between a young
fisherman and a wild stallion as they evade ranchers determined to
capture and tame the horse.Classic Children’s Double Feature
(G)
74min
Dec 1—16 at 1pm on Sat & Sun only
Dec 22—Jan 1 at 1pm daily
The Red Balloon (Le Ballon rouge) (1956) 34min
White Mane (Crin-blanc) (1952) 40min
Directed by Albert Lamorisse

Sunday, December 9th is a big Downtown Hanukkah Bash put on my 4 downtown organizations (Tribeca Hebrew, Jewish Community Project Downtown, The Synagogue for the Arts and the Battery park Synagogue). The bash will have art, music, menorah projects and more. For ages 0-14 years, it goes from 11am-2pm. Adults are $15, Children are $10 or $45 a family. Held at PS 234 Independence School in Tribeca at 292 Greenwich Street (btw. Chambers and Warren). www.ps234.org

This weekend don’t forget the "Lighting Up Nights" at the Bronx Zoo.
It goes until Jan. 8th. (Don’t keep putting off going like I
did last year- I never actually went!) Besides the half a million
twinkling lights on animals, there is storytelling, ice carving demos,
costume characters, stilt dancers and choral group performances. Check the site for details and times.

Saturday and Sunday, have breakfast with Santa and then a skate around the famous Rockefeller skating rink.
Advance reservations and payment are required. For ages 2-10 years.
Every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve. Times vary, so check the website.  Children  are $50 (wow!) and  Adults are $55 (wow wow!). At 20 W. 50th Street.

The International School of Brooklyn is having their 3rd Annual
French/Spanish Children’s Book Fair at PS 77 in Park Slope! It takes
place on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 11am – 3pm at the PS 77
Auditorium, 62 Park Place (between 5th & 6th Avenue) in Park Slope.
They will have hundreds of books for children from 0-10 years of age
from top-tier French- and Spanish-language publishers including Bayard,
Gallimard, Flammarion/Pere Castor, Santillana, Scholastic and others.
We will also have a variety of French/Spanish educational magazines,
CDs, DVDs and games. Festivities are also planned for children of all
ages — including storytime, an illustration workshop with a
professional cartoon illustrator, face painting, and arts & crafts.
Below is the provisional schedule of storytimes and illustration
workshops:
11:30 Storytime in English with a Brooklyn Public Library librarian
12:00 Storytime in French
12:30 Storytime in Spanish
1:00 Illustration Workshop with a professional cartoon illustrator
1:30 Storytime in French
2:00 Illustration Workshop with a professional cartoon illustrator
2:30 Storytime in Spanish
There will also be a bake sale and cash raffle and other prizes
including a gift certificate to Half Pint, Le Gamin, Two Boots
Restaurant and more.
More information can be found at www.isbrooklyn.org

Sunday, December 9 celebrate Hanukkah on ice in Central Park.  Chabad of the West side hosts a holiday party with heated tent, warm beverages, Hanukkah treats and live music.  A hand-carved Ice Menorah (cool!)  is lit at the close of the program. Register in advance at www.chabadwestside.org or call 212-864-5010. It goes from 2-4 pm and is $15 per person and children under 3 years are free. The event is at Wollman Skating rink which is between 62nd and 63rd streets. (www.wollmanskatingrink.com)

PS 139 is having their Holiday Fair from 10am-3pm on Sunday, December 9 where they will sell gifts, food, wreaths and poinsettias.  You can also join a craft table where your children can make fun things. My friend Laurel from Ancient Current Acupuncture will be there as well as Pampered Chef Cookware and other vendors.
P.S. 139 Alexine A. Fenty School            
330 Rugby Road BROOKLYN, NY 11226 (Ditmas Park)
Phone: (718) 282-5254

Red Hook is celebrating Christmas this Sunday, December 9 with a traditional Christmas Concert and sing a long at 3:00pm.
There will be lots of traditional Christmas songs accompanied by organ in this old church that was built to look like the hull of a ship. Put on your wading boots!

Visitation Church
Verona and Richards Street in Red Hook

Rescue Santa from the rooftop at the New York City Fire Museum’s Annual Santa Rescue on Sunday, December 9th at 12 noon. Mommy Poppins explains: At this event, Santa gets
stuck in the chimney and the firefighters have to get out the hook and
ladder to rescue him. Families look on as Santa is saved by the
firemen, then everyone goes in to celebrate with hot dogs and hot
chocolate. Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa. Photo Tip: Bring your own camera. Once rescued, Santa will take gift requests and photos with children. Sip hot chocolate and munch on hot dots. Adults are $5, children under 12 years are $1 (suggested) or FREE with museum admission. At 278 Spring Street in Chinatown (I think!)  http://www.nycfiremuseum.org/index.php

Here is some special info on where to go see Santa from fellow blogger and great NY resource www.mommypoppins.com. She has a holiday guide out including Christmas Department walks, Holiday Train shows, 5 Christmas adn Menorah Lightings and Ice Skating Rinks. It is really worth checking out!

Best Places To See Santa from Mommy Poppins

ABC Carpet and Home- The Santa at ABC Carpet and Home is a lavish, Victorian affair, draped
in velvet and surrounded by sumptuous housewares. ABC’s Santa has
gotten more popular in the last few years, but I’m told that if there
is a line to see Santa, it moves fast.Photo Tip: You can take your own photos, but the lighting is not the best so bring a camera that’s good in low light. Freebies: a small, but stylish ornament. When: Weekends. Noon to 5pm.

World Financial Center  Christmas and Hanukkah with one stop shopping. It doesn’t get more New
York than this. Visit Santa and get a photo taken than stick around for
some Klezmer for Kids.Photo Tip: The proceeds go to charity.Freebies: If you go on Sunday, December 9th, stick
around for free Klezmer for Kids: This fun, interactive performance of
song and dance blends Eastern European Jewish music with heritage
lessons drawn from Yiddish and Hasidic traditions to let your child
explore Hanukkah.
When: Santa is only at the World Financial Center
this weekend, Friday through Sunday, December 7-9 from 10am- 1pm and
2pm -5pm. In the Winter Garden.

Toys R Us Express
I don’t think too many people realize they’ve opened this temporary
Toys R Us Express in NoHo on Broadway and E. 4th St. Maybe that’s why
we’ve been to visit Santa twice there this year and both times found a
sweet, but kind of desperately lonely Santa who was more than happy to
chat with my son for about ten minutes.Photo Tip: You can snap your own photos here, but they also sell professional digital prints. I like the colorful, modern background here. Freebies: A junkie little game pad. When: I can’t find Santa’s hours, but he seems to be there all the time.

NYC Fire Museum
For the most off the wall visit to Santa, you have to check out the
Annual Santa rescue at the NYC Fire Museum. At this event, Santa gets
stuck in the chimney and the firefighters have to get out the hook and
ladder to rescue him. Families look on as Santa is saved by the
firemen, then everyone goes in to celebrate with hot dogs and hot
chocolate. Kids can get their pictures taken with Santa. Photo Tip: Bring your own camera. Freebies: When: Sunday, December 9^th, 2007 at 12
noon at the NYC Fire Museum located on 278 Spring Street, New York NY.
The Museum has a suggested admission: Adults – $5, Students and Seniors
- $2, Children under 12 – $1, but you are not required to pay. Hot dogs and hot chocolate.

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